Learning Activity Template

 

Title:   “Interactions in Ecosystems”                                                                                                      

 

Curriculum:  Life Science                                                                                                                     

 

Grade-Level Span:  Grades  4-6                                                                                                          

 

Authors Names & School Districts: __Rita Johnson:     Barnum School District______________      ______________________________________________________________________________

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

PURPOSE: To understand the concept of an ecosystem and the interdependent relationships between living/nonliving elements.   

 

DESCRIPTION: Students will explore what an ecosystem is and how the things in the ecosystem are interdependent on each other. They will access the website “The Green Frog News.” This provides a wonderful introduction to ecosystems in a “kid friendly” way. They will also read/learn about living things as producers, consumers, and decomposers of food in the “Green Frog.”  Students will participate in a cooperative activity that illustrates the food chain.

 

 

ACTIVITIES

Curriculum Standards

Minnesota Technology Standards

ISTE-NETS

Information Literacy Standard

Big 6

Students will go the “Green Frog News” website and read about ecosystems and the “ingredients” that work together for the survival of living things!

IV: 1

Standard

1 A

 

I, II

 

Students will participate in a cooperative food chain learning activity.

 

IV:  1,2

 

 

 

 

Students will create a graphic organizer using

“Kidspiration” to illustrate the food chain.

IV: 1,2

Standard

1 A

 

III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOOLS AND RESOURCES:

www.thegreenfrognews.com

www.teachnet.com/lesson/science/biology/foodchain111300.html

“Kidspiration” software

 

 ASESSMENT:

Students will work in groups to produce a graphic organizer on “Kidspiration” with: definition of an ecosystem and a web illustrating the food chain. This must include terms  producers, consumers, and  decomposers!

CREDITS (INCLUDING CONTACT INFORMATION):

Rita Johnson    ritaanne@barnum.k12.mn.us

 

COMMENTS:

I am using a new science curriculum this year, so I am looking for ways to intergrate technology into my chapter themes. I was thrilled to find the “Green Frog News” site. I will use it as a springboard to developing our own quarterly classroom science curriculum newsletter!

 

Used with permission of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Project (http://www.iste.org or http://cnets.iste.org)  Contact:  Lajeane Thomas, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 3161, Ruston, LA 71272;   Voice: 318 257-3923  Email:  lthomas@latech.edu